CarComplaints.com Notes: Be aware the 2007-2011 Nissan Versa was recalled in the US in May 2016 & July 2017 for defective Takata airbags that are potentially deadly. Many Versa owners have reported problems getting Nissan dealers to complete the recall repair, due to scheduling problems & parts shortages.

If you are considering purchasing a 2007-2011 Nissan Versa, call your local Nissan dealer with the VIN# & ask if the airbag recall has been done.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,236 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Versa engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #11

Apr 052013

Versa

  • 47,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car has begun to make a loud metal clunking sound at the top right suspension as well as what almost sounds like a grinding but not similar to that of the braking system. I was going around a curve at the time. The sound gets worse when going down a hill changing speeds, switching lanes, on pot holes or an uneven surface. I took it to a few different places and could not reproduce the problem at the time. While driving with a more experienced mechanic he was able to determine the sound to be isolated to the right strut and the left inner tie rod. He said that the struts are usually only replaced once in a cars lifetime so I am wondering why it needs to be replaced so soon. I am writing the complaint because I think this has been an issue all along. The car needs an abnormal amount of realignments and brake replacements. When I first received the car the rotors and brakes had to be replaced because somehow they had been installed backwards. The steering has always felt insecure as well as the feeling when pressing the gas and the brakes. The feeling I have now under the pedals when the sound of the strut malfunctioning engages I have felt all along but not this intensely. There may be an issue with the parts used as I have spoken to so many Nissan owners who reported the same issue of steering and exhaust system issues on Nissan.

- Gwynn Oak, MD, USA

problem #10

Mar 102013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
This car is a 2008. Kept in fantastic condition. The muffler randomly broke off of the car. There is no rust on the underside of the car. The few months it was driven in the North it was washed free of any salt. After researching this it seems to be an ongoing problem with this make and model of car. It was a clean break. Hopefully can be welded back together, but this break is certainly due to the cheap material it is made out of. Nissan should recall these parts. This is affecting alot of Nissan Versa owners around the same exact mileage frame.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #9

Jan 162012

Versa

  • 68,893 miles
We had just gone throw the sunpass lane on I-275 N. my wife was driving and she started to push on the gas pedal and the engine die (ten feet out of the toll booth). She tried 3 times to start the car motor and each time it started and then stopped. I jumped out of the car to push the car across 4 lanes of traffic (lucky it was 11:00pm) and there was not a lot of traffic. We had to have the car towed to our garage. They (hummel tire & auto, reg.#: mv-66432) was told my Nissan (crown) that they knew about this problem and had a new improved A/C compressor (926001U60A,081468/251G. (the dash broad light "ps") we was very lucky that we did not get hit the rear, because we could not move. I had my wife, mother(83), and myself (58). Nissan should have a recall on this part, before anyone dies. The dash broad light "ps" electric power steering systems.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 012008

Versa 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 489 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Versa. While the vehicle was parked she attempted to start the vehicle and it would not start. The contact stated after the second attempt the vehicle started. The failure occurred intermittently and the vehicle normally starts on the second attempt. She also stated that the failure started shortly after it was purchased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. The dealer advised her that there was nothing wrong with the starter. The contact mentioned the failure to the dealer on every service visit and the dealer never performed a diagnostic test. The contact stated that she scheduled an appointment with the dealer on April 13, 2011. The vehicle was not repaired and the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty. She contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 489 and the current mileage was 5,200. Updated 05/05/11 the dealer replaced the fuel regulator. Updated

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 102010

Versa

  • 42,000 miles
I own a 2008 Nissan Versa. Recently started having problems with losing power after a long period of driving. The problem started after driving for approximately two hours, the car would lose power and only go about 20 mph. If accelerator was pressed, the car would stall out completely. After two visits to Nissan dealers, they stated they could not find any problems. I am afraid to take this car on any extended trips due to this problem. I bought this car for the gas mileage...now having to take another vehicle for safety.

- Kannapolis, NC, USA

problem #6

Nov 042009

Versa

  • 23 miles
Water pump failed.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #5

Mar 012009

Versa

  • 62,795 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We have a 2008 Nissan Versa and bought it with 6 miles on it. The car now has 60000 miles on it and there is white residue around the crankcase and back pressure in the motor. We have gone to the dealership and they say it needs a whole new engine. There is absolutely nothing we could have done to cause this issue. Nissan is not helping us very much so far, we were hoping you all could help out. Everyone we have talked to says it is a manufacturers defect.

- Fredricksburg, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 242008

Versa

  • 38,500 miles
My husband and I was driving the highway and our 2008 Nissan Versa lost power. When we pulled over, my husband lifted the hood and found the dipstick had came out and oil was all over the engine. Our car was towed to a local dealership. The next after Nissan North America would not fix our car claiming it was our fault. We only had our car for 8 months and we brought it brand new! we had many heated arguments with the dealership and Nissan North America. Then after 23 days after then they called me wanting to put a new engine in our car. I refused because I wanted a refund because we had to buy a 30 year old truck to get back and forth from work.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #3

Jul 242008

Versa

  • 1,200 miles
Car completely died out and shut down in the middle of a major intersection at 35 miles per hour. On August 20 / 2008 the car repeated the same failure in traffic at 45 miles per hour. When started the vehicle it wants to choke up and stall, at least 20 times since the purchase of the vehicle on Feb. 18 / 2008. I am terrified to drive the vehicle that I paid cash for now. The dealership of purchase are saying that they cant find the source of the problem and that they are no longer willing to correct these serious failures and issue. They are demanding that I pick up the vehicle and have not returned any of my calls. They have also denied me a loaner vehicle and I have been without my vehicle for almost 2 weeks now. I am seeking legal representation to this matter and have become very discouraged.

- North Hollywood , CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 182008

Versa

  • 6,000 miles
My Versa has 7K miles and is 4 months old. I have been experiencing the long cranking time for about a month now. Its intermittent but I do worry that it won't start, have to tap the gas to get it to start.

- Troy, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 202008

Versa

  • 3,700 miles
Vehicle started taking long crank times, multiple cranks to start engine. Informed dealer of problem and that prior models of Versa had similar problems. Dealer says this vehicle manufactured after date other problems were fixed. Obviously not since this problem persists in models manufactured after previous bulletin date. Concerned that one day vehicle will not start and leave me stranded. Long crank times not dependent on weather, temperature or level of fuel in tank.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

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